State election: Socialists promise train from Mernda to Whittlesea

The Victorian Socialists and The Greens have announced major transport projects to lure in Whittlesea voters. But what are the chances of them getting done?

A TRAIN line to Whittlesea and an extension of the 86 tram route to South Morang are two of the carrots hoping to sway Whittlesea voters at the polls this election.

The Greens and the newly-formed Victorian Socialists are looking to make a dent in the usual Labor strongholds of the north, kicking off state election campaigns with a host of ambitious public transport promises.

Both parties have committed to extending the route 86 tram from Bundoora RMIT to South Morang, while Victorian Socialists Northern Metropolitan Region candidate Steve Jolly said, if elected, the party would also extend the train line from Mernda to Whittlesea.

The Greens Northern Victoria candidate Nicole Rowan announced the party would extend the 86 tram during a debate at a Leader Transport Forum.

However, both promises could hinge on the highly unlikely scenario of either winning enough seats to form a majority government.

Neither party is yet to nominate a candidate for the state seats of Bundoora, Mill Park, Thomastown or Yan Yean.

Mr Jolly said while he didn’t expect the Victorian Socialists to form government, if elected, he would use his position to “mobilise the streets” and use people power to pressure the major parties to commit to the projects.

“I’ll put a blowtorch to Labor and be in the face of government to get (these projects) done,” he said.

Jolly is hoping to become the party’s first state politician and Australia’s first socialist parliamentarian since 1943.

Victorian Socialists Northern Metropolitan Region candidate Steve Jolly.

Labor has ruled out extending the route 86 tram for at least 30 years while Yan Yean state Labor MP Danielle Green said at a transport forum on October 4 that she would “never” support a train line going to Whittlesea.

Opposition public transport spokesman David Davis said the Liberal Party would “not rule out” a tram extension, and if elected in November he would discuss extension options with Whittlesea Council.

STATE ELECTION 2018: GREENS COMMIT TO TRAM 86 EXTENSION

BUNDOORA: TRAM 86 EXTENSION TO SOUTH MORANG DERAILED BY STATE GOVERNMENT

THE NBN JARGON YOU NEED TO KNOW

A poll conducted by the Leader last week showed 73 per cent of 886 voters would use the tram if it was extended.

Voter Greg Johnson said the Labor and Liberal parties did not initially support a rail line to South Morang until “people fought back” and the same could happen with the tram 86 extension.

Fellow poll participant Michael Papa said the only use of a tram so far from the city would be in connecting commuters to railway stations.

Friends of South Morang tram extension campaign group secretary Trevor Carroll said following the commitments campaigners were “extremely confident” the tram would be extended in the short term.

A protest calling for the extension of the 86 tram will be held today at the final tram stop outside Bundoora RMIT at 1pm.

MORE NEWS

STUDENTS FROM EPPING'S AL SIRAAT COLLEGE CLAIM BEING HELD FOR HOURS

WHITTLESEA MAYOR KRIS PAVLIDIS FACING NEW BULLYING ALLEGATIONS

CALL FOR STATE INTERVENTION AT 'DYSFUNCTIONAL' COUNCIL